Cap for a container

ABSTRACT

A cap for a container for storing liquid comprising a base comprising at least one passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The cap comprises a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising a depressible portion, a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion, and a seal stem extending downwardly from the depressible portion. The seal is movable between a first position, wherein the depressible portion is above the flange portion and a second position, wherein the flange portion is above the depressible portion. The cap also comprises a valve connected to the seal stem and movable between a closed position, wherein the valve prevents the outward passage of the consumable liquid through the passage and an open position, wherein the valve allows passage of the consumable liquid through the passage. In use, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the valve is moved into the open position and the seal is moved into the second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on the flange portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved upwardly such that the valve is moved into the closed position and the seal is moved into the first position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cap for a container adaptedto carry a liquid suitable for human consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for holding liquid, and more specifically consumable liquidrequire caps for selectively prevent escape of the liquid from theinterior of the container. Once such container is known as a travel mug,which is intended to store coffee or other hot beverages to be drankdirectly therefrom while on the go.

While ambulating with a travel mug, it is desirable for the liquid heldin the travel mug not to splash or spill outward. This is particularlytrue when the liquid held therein is hot or non-transparent and may burnor stain if spilled.

Current caps for travel mugs have one or more passage that can beblocked. However, in such caps passages are often blocked by sliding anobtrusion over the passage, which does not form a perfect seal. Suchcaps are liable to leak at the passage even when closed and get wet oreven splash liquid from the cap. Furthermore, current caps do notprotect the upper surface or the passages in the cap from impurities anddust, rain or other impurities can fall onto or into the cap while it isclosed. In addition current closing systems for caps tend to leave aweak point in the insulation, covering the passage with only a smallobstruction that can transfer heat from the inside outwards.

Moreover current caps tend to require two-handed operation as manualactuators on the cap often must be operated by the hand not holding thecontainer.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,678 describes a cap that comprises a valve that isoperable by a push-button disposed on the top of the cap. The capcomprises two openings including a discharge opening and a vent hole.The two openings can be blocked by a valve. The construction andoperation of the valve actuator is similar to the construction andoperation of actuators in push-button ball-point pens. A spring biasesthe valve in the closed position and a spinner interacts with a hub. Thespinner and the hub each have angled surfaces for causing the spinner tospin upon pressure being applied to the push-button and to come to restat a one of two possible relative positions, the two possible relativepositions corresponding, respectively, to an open or closed state of thevalve. The system described comprises several small components and maybe complicated and expensive to assemble. Furthermore, the dischargeopening and vent hole are not covered from the top.

Clearly, there remains a need in the industry to provide a cap for aliquid container that provides a better seal when closed and allows toselectively permit liquid to flow outwards while remaining relativelysimple to handle even with a single hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first broad aspect, the invention provides a capfor a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storingconsumable liquid. The cap comprises a base adapted to being affixed tothe container for covering the mouth of the container, the basecomprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lowersurface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be influid communication with the interior of the container and extendingbetween the upper aperture and the lower aperture, the base furtherdefining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis ofthe cap. The cap further comprises a seal made of an elastomericmaterial. The seal comprises a depressible portion and a flange portionat least partially surrounding the depressible portion for overlappingthe upper aperture. The seal further comprises a peripheral wallextending downwardly through the central aperture of the base, theperipheral wall having a lower end mounted to the base. The seal furthercomprises a seal stem extending downwardly from the depressible portionthrough the central aperture of the cap and along the centrallongitudinal axis. The seal is movable between a first position, whereinthe depressible portion is above the flange portion and the upperaperture is covered, and a second position, wherein the flange portionis above the depressible portion and the upper aperture is uncovered.The cap further comprises a valve connected to the seal stem and movablebetween a closed position wherein the valve blocks the lower aperture toprevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through the passageand an open position wherein the valve frees the lower aperture andallows passage of the consumable liquid through the passage. In use,upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion of the seal, thedepressible portion is moved downwardly such that the valve is movedinto the open position and the seal is moved into the second position,and upon pressure of the user on the flange portion of the seal, thedepressible portion is moved upwardly such that the valve is moved intothe closed position and the seal is moved into the first position.

The invention also provides a cap for a container having a mouth anddefining an interior for storing consumable liquid, the cap comprising:a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouthof the container, the base comprising an upper surface comprising anupper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and apassage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of thecontainer and extending between the upper aperture and the loweraperture, the base further defining a central aperture encircling acentral longitudinal axis of the cap; a seal made of an elastomericmaterial and comprising: a depressible portion and a flange portion atleast partially surrounding the depressible portion for overlapping theupper aperture, the depressible portion having a bottom wall defining anabutting surface; a peripheral wall extending downwardly through thecentral aperture of the base, the peripheral wall having a lower endmounted to the base; and a seal stem extending downwardly from thedepressible portion through the central aperture of the cap and alongthe central longitudinal axis; wherein the seal is movable between afirst position, wherein the depressible portion is above the flangeportion and the upper aperture is covered, and a second position,wherein the flange portion is above the depressible portion and theupper aperture is uncovered; (c) a valve connected to the seal stem andmovable between a closed position wherein the valve blocks the loweraperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid throughthe passage and an open position wherein the valve frees the loweraperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through thepassage, the valve comprising a section projecting upwardly forencircling the seal stem, the section having an upper end abutting theabutting surface; wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on thedepressible portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moveddownwardly such that the valve is moved into the open position and theseal is moved into the second position, and wherein, upon pressure ofthe user on the flange portion of the seal, the depressible portion ismoved upwardly such that the valve is moved into the closed position andthe seal is moved into the first position.

These and other aspects and features of the present invention will nowbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thefollowing description of specific embodiments of the invention inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with a cap in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 with its seal shown ina first position and its valve shown in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 with its seal shown ina second position and its valve shown in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cap of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating anelement in one figure will designate the same element if used in anyother figures. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology isresorted to for the sake of clarity but the invention is not intended tobe limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood thateach specific term comprises all equivalents.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be readtogether with the specification, and are to be considered a portion ofthe entire written description of this invention. As used in thefollowing description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”,“right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbialderivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”,“radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustratedstructure. Similarly, the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially”generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis ofelongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

FIG. 1 shows a container 12 for holding consumable liquid upon which isaffixed a cap 10. In the example shown here, the container 12 is a mugfor holding a warm drink such as coffee. In this example, the containermay be characterized as a travel mug. A travel mug is generallyinsulated to keep hot liquids hot (or to keep cold liquids cold), has ahandle 13 and a spill-resistant cap system that can be closed in such away as to prevent spilling during ordinary ambulation and opened toallow a user to drink from the container. However, it should beunderstood that the container 12 may be any container for holdingconsumable liquid.

The container 12 has a mouth (hidden by the cap 10 in FIG. 1) that iscovered by the cap 10, which selectively allows liquid to flow outwardsfrom the inside of the container.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the cap 10 has a base 14 that is adapted tobeing affixed to the container 12. When affixed, the base 14 covers themouth of the container 12. The base 14 can be affixed to the container12 by any suitable means. In the example shown here, the base 14comprises a lower peripheral wall 16 which is adapted to be affixed tothe container 12. In the present case, the lower peripheral wall 16 isdimensioned to be inserted into the mouth of the container 12 andtightly fit therein. The lower peripheral wall 16 also comprises aretaining means, which here is a groove 18 that is adapted to receive acomplementary ridge in the container 12. Of course, other retainingmeans are possible, as will be evident to a person skilled in the art.For example, the lower peripheral wall 16 may be threaded to be twistedwithin the container 12. Furthermore, the lower peripheral wall 16 maytake on a different configuration as shown here. For example, the lowerperipheral wall 16 may project downwardly from the base 14. In such acase, the lower peripheral wall 16 may comprise a retaining means, suchas threads, on the outer periphery thereof to contact the interior ofthe container 12 or, alternatively, it may comprise a retaining means,again such as threads, on the inner periphery thereof to contact anexternal surface of the container 12. Other means of retaining the cap10 onto the container 12 may be envisaged.

The base 14 has an upper surface 20, a lower surface 22 and at least onepassage 28 extending between the upper surface 20 and the lower surface22. In the example shown here, the base 14 has a plurality of passages28. As shown in FIG. 5, each passage extends between an upper aperture24 in the upper surface 20 and a lower aperture 26 in the lower surface22. The passages 28 are adapted to be in fluid communication with theinterior of the container 12.

As illustrated, the cap 10 may comprise an upper peripheral wall 80,extending upwardly from the base 14 around the periphery thereof.Although shown here as extending upwardly around the entire periphery ofthe base 14, it will be understood that the upper peripheral wall 80 mayextend around only a portion thereof. The upper peripheral wall 80 maydefine a peripheral lip 82 against which a user may place his/her mouthto drink consumable liquid from the container 12.

The cap 10 has a central longitudinal axis 32, as best shown in FIGS. 4,5 and 7. When affixed to the container 12, the longitudinal axis of thecap may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the container. It shouldbe understood, however, that in certain embodiments the longitudinalaxes of the cap 10 and the container 12 may not coincide.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the base 14 defines a central aperture 30encircling the central longitudinal axis 32 of the cap 10. Here, thecentral aperture 30 is circular and the base 14 comprises a central ring34 extending upwardly around the central aperture 30. The ring 34 has aninner peripheral wall 36 and an outer peripheral wall 37.

The cap 10 is comprises a valve 60 that is movable between a closedposition in which the lower apertures 26 are blocked to prevent thepassage of the outward consumable liquid through the passages 28 and anopen position in which the lower apertures 26 are freed to allow passageof the consumable liquid through the passages 28. When the valve 60 isin the closed position, the entire passages 28 are blocked such thatconsumable liquid does not enter into passages 28 until the moment hascome when a user desires to actually dispense the liquid. Furthermore,as will be explained later, the central aperture 30 is sealed, thuspreventing any passage of liquid outwards when the valve 60 is in theclosed position. It will thus be appreciated that when the valve 60 isin the closed position, a real seal is formed and air is generallyprevented from flowing in or out of the container 12, thus improvinginsulation and retarding the cooling of potentially warm liquids in thecontainer 12 (or the warming of potentially warm liquids in thecontainer 12). However, it is to be understood that in embodiments wherethermal insulation is undesirable, it is possible to design thecontainer 12, and cap 10, including the valve 60 in thermally conductivemanners, such as by making them from thermally conductive materials.

The valve 60 may be made of any suitable material and in the exampleshown here, is made of a hard plastic.

Because of the substantially air-tight conditions in the container 12during dispensing of the liquid, there will result a decrease in airpressure which would disadvantageously cause a reduction in the rate atwhich the liquid can be dispensed. To prevent disadvantages associatedwith this scenario, a circuit is created between the interior and theexterior of the container 12. This is achieved by providing theplurality of passages 28 disposed in a circular arrangement in base 14such that when the container 12 with the cap 10 is tilted at an angle,there is always a passage 28 exposed to the liquid and a passage 28exposed to the air, thus allowing air to flow into the container 12 asliquid escapes out therefrom. A person skilled in the art willappreciate that this may be accomplished in other manners. For example,a larger passage 28 extending between upper and lower apertures 24, 26that cover a sufficiently large portion of the upper and lower surfaces20, 22, may allow both liquids to flow outwards and air to flow inwardsinto the container 12 simultaneously. Other alternatives are possiblestill, such as providing an air intake passage elsewhere in the cap 10or container 12, including in positions unaffected by the valve 60.

The valve 60 includes a valve head 62 and a section 64 projectingupwardly therefrom. In the present case, the section 64 is a cylindricalsection. The valve head 62 is designed to seal the passages 28 byblocking the lower apertures 26 when the valve 60 is in the closedposition. To this end, the lower surface 22 of the base 14 comprises avalve seat 66 surrounding the lower apertures 26, which receives thevalve head 62 when the valve 60 is in the closed position. The valveseat 66 may be simply embodied by a surface having a shape complementaryto a contacting surface of the valve head 62 for permitting a snug fittherebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve seat 66 is a flatsurface against which abuts the top surface 68 of the valve head 62,which is flat in the area abutting the valve seat 66.

In the present case, the valve head 62 is provided with a ring 70 madeof elastomeric material (e.g. food grade silicone) which, when the sealis in the closed position, abuts against the valve seat 66 to improvethe seal formed therewith. The ring of elastomeric material 70 isreceived in a cavity 71 in the valve head 62 and is dimensioned to fittherein. The ring 70 may be held in place by friction or otherwiseaffixed to the valve head. For example, the ring 70 may be glued orovermolded to the valve head 62.

With reference to FIG. 4, when the valve 60 is in the closed position,the valve head 62 is held upwardly against the lower surface 22 of thebase 14 such that the top surface 68 of the valve head 62 is heldtightly against the valve seat 66 in the lower surface 22 of the base 14in an area adjacent the lower openings 26. The valve 60 thus forms aseal around the lower openings 26, effectively blocking passages 28 andpreventing the outwards passage of consumable liquids from the interiorof the container 12 through the passages 28.

With reference to FIG. 5, when the valve 60 is in the open position, thevalve head 62 is lowered downwardly into the interior of the container12 such that it no longer forms a sealing contact around the lowerapertures 26 and frees the lower apertures for allowing the passage ofconsumable liquid outwards through the passages 28. It is understoodthat the valve 60 does not extend peripherally all the way to theinterior surface of the container 12 along the entire periphery thereof,but that space exists between the peripheral edge of the valve 60 andthe interior surface of the container 12 to allow consumable liquid toflow around the valve 60 and outward through the passages 28 when thevalve 60 is in the open position.

The cap 10 also comprises a seal 40 made of an elastomeric material suchas food grade silicone which may be injection molded or compressionmolded, for example, or other suitable elastomeric materials. In thepresent example, the materials may have a hardness of between 55 Shoreand 65 Shore. The seal 40 has a depressible portion 42 and a flangeportion 44, and a peripheral wall 46 extending downwardly through thecentral aperture and having a lower end 47 mounted to base 14 in an areaadjacent the central aperture 30. The seal also comprises a seal stem 43extending downwardly from the depressible portion 42 through the centralaperture 30 for connecting the seal 40 to the valve 60. As will bedescribed more fully below, the depressible portion 42 and the flangeportion 44 move relative to one another when the valve 60 moves betweenthe open and the closed position.

In the example shown here, the upper peripheral wall encircles thelongitudinal axis of the cap 10 and the depressible portion 42 and theflange portion 44 are contained within an area surrounded by the upperperipheral wall 80.

The depressible portion is located around the longitudinal axis 32 ofthe cap 10 and overlying the central aperture 30. The flange portion 44at least partially surrounds the depressible portion 42. In the exampleshown, the flange portion 44 completely surrounds the depressibleportion 42. However, it is to be understood that the flange portion 44could surround only a portion of the depressible portion 42. As will bediscussed below, the flange portion 44 covers the upper apertures 24when the valve 60 is in the closed position. To this end, the flangeportion 44 should extend around the depressible portion 42 whereveralong the periphery thereof upper apertures 24 are present in the base14.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when the valve 60 is in the closed position,the seal 40 is in a first position wherein the depressible portion 42 isabove the flange portion 44 and the flange portion 44 overlaps andcovers the upper apertures 24 to obstruct the passage of liquid, air orimpurities such as dust through the passages 28. The flange portion 44comprises an external edge 48 which contacts the upper surface 20 of thebase 14 in an area radially outwards from the upper apertures 24.Alternatively, the external edge 48 may contact the upper peripheralwall 80 instead of the upper surface 20 of the base 14.

The seal 40 may thus serve as an additional safeguard by retainingliquid trapped in the passages 28 or present on the upper surface 20 ofthe base 14 within the internal space between the seal 40 and the valve60. The seal 40 may also serve to prevent impurities such as dust orother liquids from entering into the container 12 when the valve 60 isin the closed position. As an additional advantage, the seal 40 mayserve an insulating function. Firstly the seal 40 itself may be composedof insulating material. Secondly, the seal 40 may also serve to preventor limit the flow of air in and around passages 28 when the valve 60 isin the closed position, thus creating a pocket of air between the seal40 and the valve 60, air being a good insulator.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the valve 60 is in the open position,the seal 40 is in a second position wherein the flange portion 44 isabove the depressible portion 42 such that the upper apertures 24 areuncovered to allow passage of consumable liquid outwards from theinterior of the container 12 through passages 28. As can be seen in FIG.5, although the upper apertures 24 are freed to allow liquid flow, theflange 44 may still at least partially overlie the upper apertures 24.However, when the container 12 is tilted to cause the outward flow ofconsumable liquid through passages 28, consumable liquid exiting throughupper apertures 24 will fall out from the upper surface 20 of the base14.

The upper peripheral wall 80 is optional and if absent, liquid willsimply fall off the upper surface 20 of the base 14. In the embodimentshown, however, consumable liquid exiting through the upper apertures 24will be guided along the upper peripheral wall 80 to its peripheral lip82, where it may be poured or drank. As shown, the upper peripheral wall80 defines an inclined surface converging towards the top surface 20 ofthe base 14 such that, when the cap 10 is upright, liquid on the upperperipheral wall 80 is urged downward towards the top surface 20. Thus,after pouring, the container 12 is returned to the upright position, anyliquid remaining on the upper peripheral wall 80 will fall back towardsthe base where it will reach the upper surface 20, and may be receivedback into the passages to return within the container 12. When the valve60 is returned to the closed position and the flange portion 44 coversthe upper apertures 24, any liquid remaining in passages 28 or on theupper surface 20 of the base 14, radially inwards from the external edge48 of the flange portion 44 retained within the internal space betweenthe seal 40 and the valve 60.

Returning to the second position of the seal 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5,one should appreciate that by virtue of overlapping the upper apertures24, the flange portion 44 serves to block any liquid splashing directlyupwards out of the passages 28. Furthermore, the flange portion 44 andcentral ring 34 block liquid splashing radially inwards from upperapertures 24 while the upper peripheral wall 80 guards against mostliquids splashing radially outwards or tangentially outwards from theupper apertures 24. Thus, when the valve 60 is in the open position andthe seal 40 is in the second position, the cap 10, allows the outwardspouring of consumable liquid from the interior of the container 12 whilesubstantially preventing the outward splashing of liquid.

The elastomeric material of the seal 40 has a resilience and the sealhas dimensions such that the flange portion 44 is maintained below thedepressible portion 42 when the valve 60 is in the closed position andsuch that the flange portion 44 is maintained above the depressibleportion 42 after pressure of a user on such depressible portion is endedand the valve 60 is in the open position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the peripheral wall 46 of the seal 40 extendsdownwardly from an area on or adjacent the periphery of the depressibleportion 42. An upper end 50 of the peripheral wall 46 connects betweenthe flange portion 44 and the depressible portion 42 in an areasurrounding the depressible portion 42. The peripheral wall 46 extendsdownwardly through the central aperture 30 from the upper end 50 to thelower end 47.

To hold the seal 40 in place, the peripheral wall may be held againstthe inner peripheral wall 36 of the ring 34 extending upwardly from thebase 14, or the lower end 47 may be affixed to the base 14. Othermethods of holding the seal 40 in place can be envisaged, such as makingthe seal 40 integral with the base 14. In the embodiment illustratedhere, the peripheral wall is held against the central wall 36 and thelower end 47 is held against the base 14. An insert ring 90 isdimensioned to be inserted in the central aperture 30 such as to fittightly therein and to hold the peripheral wall 46 against the centralwall 36 and simultaneously to hold the lower end 47 against the base 14.The insert ring 90 may be held in place by friction and may optionallycomprise a retaining means for holding it in place. As shown in FIGS. 4to 6, the insert ring 90 comprises a rib 92 that fits in a complementarygroove 94 in the base 14. Of course, the rib 92 may be located in thebase and the groove 94 in the insert ring 90.

Since the peripheral wall 46 of the seal 40 lies alongside the ring 34and is at least partially sandwiched by the insert ring 90, the ring 34and insert ring 90 support the peripheral wall 46 and prevents it fromcollapsing while holding it in place. Thus, even when pressure isexerted on the peripheral wall 46, for example from the depressibleportion 42 or flange portion 44 being pressed downwards, the peripheralwall 46 still maintains its shape and position.

The upper end 50 of the peripheral wall 46 may comprise a live hinge 54that comprises a thinned section of the peripheral wall 46 that isreadily deformable to allow the flange portion 44 and the depressibleportion 42 to move relative to one another while the remainder of theperipheral wall 46 remains substantially unchanged.

Being held against the inner peripheral wall 36 of the ring 34, theperipheral wall 46 prevents any flow of liquid from or into the centralaperture 30. Indeed, the peripheral wall 46 forms a seal with the entireperiphery of the central aperture 30 and no liquid can flow outwardthrough the central aperture 30 at all, leaving only passages 28 aspossible outwards passage for consumable liquid in the container 12.

In the example shown here, the peripheral wall 46 extends downwardlyaround the entire periphery of the depressible portion 42, however it isto be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the peripheral wall 46may be disposed differently. For example, the peripheral wall 46 couldextend only below the upper end of the ring 34 and be itself glued orotherwise affixed to the inner peripheral wall 36 of the ring 34 of thebase 14. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 46 may be held against theinner peripheral wall 36 by means other than a ring such as gluing orovermolding.

When a user applies pressure on the depressible portion 42 of the seal40, the depressible portion 42 is moved downwardly along thelongitudinal axis 32 of the cap 10 and the flange portion 44 movesupwardly. The seal 40 thus adopts the second position shown in FIGS. 3and 5. Passage of consumable liquid outwards from the interior of thecontainer 12 through the passages 28 is thus unimpeded when the seal 40is in the open position because downward movement of the depressibleportion 42 has brought the valve 60 in the open position, freeing thelower apertures 26 while the upper apertures 24 are also uncovered bythe flange portion 44. In the example shown, when the seal is moved fromthe first position to the second position, the entire flange portion 44moves from a downward angle relative the live hinge 54 to an upwardangle and its external edge 48 disengages the upper surface 20 of thebase 14. The container 12 with the cap 10 can then be tilted to allowoutward flow of the consumable liquid held in the interior of thecontainer 12 outward through the passages 28.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seal stem 43 comprises a stem head 72,which is an enlarge portion of the seal stem 43. The seal stem 43 isreceived in a central opening 74 provided in the valve 60. The centralopening 74 has a smaller diameter than the seal stem 43, such that theseal stem 43 is squeezed when in the central opening 74. As a result ofsuch portion of the seal stem 43 being squeezed, the resilience of theseal stem material pushes outwards against the inner wall of the centralopening 74 and thus holds the valve 60 in place on such portion of thestem by friction. In addition, the stem head 72 has an enlargementimmediately below the central opening 74 to prevent the valve 60 fromdisconnecting with the seal stem 43.

Since the seal stem 43 is made of resilient elastomeric material, it ispossible to, by using sufficient force or by squeezing the stem head 72,force the stem head 72 through the stem opening 74 to disengage thevalve 60 from the seal 40. The valve 60 may therefore be manuallyremoved, for example to facilitate cleaning of the valve 60 and of theportions of the cap 10 normally obstructed by the valve 60. To replacethe valve 60 after it was disconnected from the seal stem 43, the stemhead 72 must be forced back through the central opening 74. To this end,as best shown in FIG. 6, the stem head 72 may be dimensioned with athinner lower portion 73 which can easily fit through the stem opening74 and which has a stub 75 for facilitating grasping of the stem head 72for pulling the stem head 72 through the central opening 74.

The seal stem 43 may have a length when relaxed that is shorter than thedistance required to connect the depressible portion of the seal to thevalve when the seal is in the first position and the valve is in theclosed position. As such, the elastomeric material of seal stem 43 maybe stretched when the valve 60 is in the closed position such that apretension is caused whereby the resilience of the elastomeric materialof the seal 40 pulls the valve head 62 upwards against the valve seat 66to hold the valve in the closed position and maintain a good seal andprevent passage of liquid in the passages 28. In other words, when theseal 40 is in the first position and the valve 60 is in the closedposition, the elastomeric material of the seal 40 is forced to deformand the resilience of the elastomeric material of the seal 40 resiststhis deformation and pulls the valve upwards and holds it in the closedposition. The deformation described here is stretching of the seal stem43 although another deformation such as a morph in the depressibleportion 42 of the seal 40.

It should be understood that although in this embodiment the seal stem43 is integral with the remainder of the seal 40, in other embodimentsthe seal stem 43 may be made separately from the remainder of the seal40 and connected thereto by any suitable means such as gluing orovermolding.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the cylindrical section 64 projects upwardlyfrom the top of the valve head 62, encircling the seal stem 43. Thecylindrical section 64 projects up to an upper end 51 that reaches thebottom wall of the depressible portion of the seal. The bottom wall ofthe depressible portion 42 defines an abutting surface 49 against whichthe upper end of the cylindrical section 64 abuts. As shown in FIGS. 4and 5, the abutting surface 49 may be located under a thickening 45 ofthe bottom wall of the depressible portion 42 where from the seal stem43 projects downwardly. The abutting surface 49 forms a shoulder aroundthe seal stem 43, against which the upper end 51 of the cylindricalsection 64 abuts.

The cylindrical section 64 may be made of harder material than the sealstem 43 and may help maintain the position of the valve head 62 relativeto the seal stem 43 and/or the depressible portion 42 of the seal 40. Inparticular, in the example shown here, the seal stem 43 maintains thevalve head 62 held against the valve seat 66 when the valve 60 is in theclose position by tensional forces from the resilience of theelastomeric material, while the cylindrical section 64 prevents thevalve head 62 from moving upwards towards the valve seat 66 when thevalve 60 is in the open position. Here, the cylindrical section 64 ismade of the same hard plastic used in the valve head 62. When a userapplies pressure on the depressible portion 42 to move the depressibleportion downwardly, the depressible portion 42 presses down upon theupper end 51 of the cylindrical section 64 at the abutting surface 49which pushes the cylindrical section 64 downwards. Since the cylindricalsection 64 is made of hard materials, the cylindrical section 64 doesnot bend but moves downwards, consequently pushing the whole valve 60downwards.

In other embodiments, the cylindrical section 64 may be absent,particularly if the seal stem 43 is made of a sufficiently hard materialto push the valve 60 downwards or if gravity can be relied upon tocounter any pressure differential that may hold the valve 60 up againstthe valve seat 66. In particular, the seal stem 43 may be made of aharder material than the rest of the seal 40, which and may be fused tothe rest of the seal 40 by overmolding or by other means.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the valve 60 is in the closed position, thevalve head 62 contacts the valve seat 66 and the seal 40 is in the firstposition wherein the flange portion 44 is below the depressible portion42 and the external edge 48 of the flange portion 44 contacts the uppersurface 20 of the base 14. In this configuration, the lower apertures 28are sealed such that liquid cannot flow outwards from the interior ofthe container through passages 28. Furthermore, the upper apertures 24are covered by the flange portion 44 of the seal 40 such as to obstructthe escape of liquid in passages 28 or on the upper surface 20 of thebase 14 and to obstruct inward passage of contaminants into passages 28or onto the upper surface 20 of the base 14.

When downward pressure is applied onto the depressible portion 42, forexample by a finger of a user, the depressible portion 42 is moved downbelow the live hinge 54. The resilience in the material of the seal 40causes the flange 44 to rise above the depressible portion 42 andthereby to uncover the upper apertures 24. Meanwhile, the valve head 62is lowered into the container 12 in the manner described above anddeparts from the valve seat 66, freeing the lower apertures 26. As aresult, passage of liquid from the interior of the container 12 outwardsthrough the passages 28 is allowed as best shown in FIG. 5.

To return the cap 10 to the closed configuration, the flange 44 may belowered by the application of a suitable force, for example by one ormore fingers of a user pressing down upon it. The flange portion 44 islowered below the live hinge 54 until its external edge 48 abuts againstthe upper surface 20 of the base 14 while the depressible portion 42rises above the flange portion 44. The rising of the depressible portion42 causes the seal stem 43 to move upwardly as well, pulling the valvehead 62 up with it as it does. The valve head 62 eventually abuts thevalve seat 66 where it comes to rest. At this point, the depressibleportion 42 may not have come to a complete relaxed state, and the sealstem 43 may be stretched by the continued rising of the depressibleportion 42 to hold the valve head 62 even more tightly against the valveseat 66. Alternatively, the depressible portion 42 may be forced to stoprising by the force of the valve head 62 abutting against the valve seat66 before it has come to a relaxed state, in which case, due theresilience of the elastomeric material of the seal 40, the depressibleportion 42 continues to exert an upward force on the seal stem 43 andthe valve head 62.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the relativelysimple operation of the cap 10 may be performed by the single hand ofthe user.

It will thus be appreciated that a cap 10 is provided that can be usedin a beverage container such as a travel mug to selectively permitliquid from flowing outwards from the interior of the container or forblocking such liquid flow. As will be appreciated by a person ofordinary skill in the art, the present cap 10 may be useful in a varietyof other containers for consumable liquids and liquids in general. Whilespecific embodiments of the present invention have been described andillustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatnumerous modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior forstoring consumable liquid, said cap comprising: (a) a base adapted tobeing affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container,said base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, alower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to bein fluid communication with the interior of the container and extendingbetween said upper aperture and said lower aperture, said base furtherdefining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis ofsaid cap; (b) a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising: (i)a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partiallysurrounding said depressible portion for overlapping said upperaperture; (ii) a peripheral wall extending downwardly through saidcentral aperture of said base, said peripheral wall having a lower endmounted to said base; and (iii) a seal stem extending downwardly fromsaid depressible portion through said central aperture of said cap andalong said central longitudinal axis; wherein said seal is movablebetween a first position, wherein said depressible portion is above saidflange portion and said upper aperture is covered, and a secondposition, wherein said flange portion is above said depressible portionand said upper aperture is uncovered; (c) a valve connected to said sealstem and movable between a closed position wherein said valve blockssaid lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumableliquid through said passage and an open position wherein said valvefrees said lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquidthrough said passage; wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on saiddepressible portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moveddownwardly such that said valve is moved into said open position andsaid seal is moved into said second position, and wherein, upon pressureof the user on said flange portion of said seal, said depressibleportion is moved upwardly such that said valve is moved into said closedposition and said seal is moved into said first position.
 2. A cap asdefined in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall of said seal has anupper end that joins said top section between said depressible portionand said flange portion.
 3. A cap as defined in claim 2, wherein saidupper end of said peripheral wall of said seal completely surrounds saiddepressible portion.
 4. A cap as defined in claim 3, wherein said upperend of said peripheral wall of said seal comprises a live hinge.
 5. Acap as defined in claim 1, further comprising an upper peripheral wallextending upwardly from said base and encircling said centrallongitudinal axis.
 6. A cap as defined in claim 5, wherein said upperperipheral wall defines an inclined surface converging towards saidupper surface of said base such that, when said cap is upright, liquidon said upper peripheral wall is urged downward towards said uppersurface.
 7. A cap as defined in claim 1, further comprising a lowerperipheral wall encircling said longitudinal axis, said lower peripheralwall being adapted for affixing said cap to the container.
 8. A cap asdefined in claim 7, wherein said lower peripheral wall comprisesthreading for connecting with a threaded portion of the container.
 9. Acap as defined in claim 8, wherein said lower peripheral wall extendsdownwardly from said base.
 10. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein saidseal stem is encircled by said peripheral wall of said seal.
 11. A capas defined in claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said base has aring encircling said central longitudinal axis and defining a valveseat.
 12. A cap as defined in claim 11, wherein said valve comprises avalve head being held upwardly against said valve seat when said valveis in said closed position for blocking said lower aperture.
 13. A capas defined in claim 13, wherein said valve head comprises a ring ofelastomeric material for abutting said valve seat when said valve is insaid closed position.
 14. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein saidvalve comprises a section projecting upwardly for encircling said sealstem.
 15. A cap as defined in claim 14, wherein seal depressible portionof said seal comprises a bottom wall defining an abutting surface andsaid section has an upper end abutting said abutting surface.
 16. A capas defined in claim 15, wherein when said seal is in said firstposition, applying downward pressure upon said depressible portioncauses said section to move downwardly for causing said valve to move tosaid open position.
 17. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said valveis removable.
 18. A cap as defined in claim 17, wherein said valvecomprises a central opening for receiving a portion of said seal stem,said seal stem comprising a deformable stem head that is wider than saidcentral opening of said valve but can be forced through said centralopening for disconnecting said valve from said seal stem.
 19. A cap asdefined in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a central ring extendingupwardly therefrom around said central aperture, said central ringhaving an outer peripheral wall, wherein when said flange portion ofsaid seal is above said depressible portion, said flange portion extendsover said upper aperture such that splashing of consumable liquidoutwards through said upper aperture is blocked by said outer peripheralwall and said flange portion.
 20. A cap as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid flange portion comprises an external edge, wherein when saiddepressible portion is above said flange portion, said external edgecontacts said upper surface of said base radially outwards from saidupper aperture.
 21. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said upperaperture, lower aperture and passage are a first upper aperture, a firstlower aperture and a first passage of respective pluralities of upperapertures, lower apertures and passages, and wherein each passage ofsaid plurality of passages extend between a respective upper aperture anlower aperture from among the pluralities of upper apertures and lowerapertures.
 22. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said base comprisesa central ring extending upwardly therefrom around said centralaperture, said central ring having an inner peripheral wall and saidperipheral wall of said seal is held against said inner peripheral wallsuch that no liquid can escape through said central aperture.
 23. A capas defined in claim 22, wherein said cap has an insert ring for holdingsaid peripheral wall of said seal against said central ring.
 24. A capas defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material is food gradesilicone.
 25. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomericmaterial has a hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore.
 26. A cap asdefined in claim 1, wherein the length of said seal stem when relaxed isshorter than a distance required to connect said depressible portion ofsaid seal to said valve when said seal is in the first position and saidvalve is in the closed position such that said elastomeric material ofsaid seal is stretched and the resilience of said elastomeric materialcauses a pretension to pull said valve upwards and holds it in theclosed position.
 27. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein saidelastomeric material has a resilience such that said seal remains insaid first and second positions when no pressure of the user is appliedon either of said depressible portion or said flange portion.
 28. A capfor a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storingconsumable liquid, said cap comprising: (a) a base adapted to beingaffixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, saidbase comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lowersurface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be influid communication with the interior of the container and extendingbetween said upper aperture and said lower aperture, said base furtherdefining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis ofsaid cap; (b) a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising: (i)a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partiallysurrounding said depressible portion for overlapping said upperaperture, said depressible portion having a bottom wall defining anabutting surface; (ii) a peripheral wall extending downwardly throughsaid central aperture of said base, said peripheral wall having a lowerend mounted to said base; and (iii) a seal stem extending downwardlyfrom said depressible portion through said central aperture of said capand along said central longitudinal axis; wherein said seal is movablebetween a first position, wherein said depressible portion is above saidflange portion and said upper aperture is covered, and a secondposition, wherein said flange portion is above said depressible portionand said upper aperture is uncovered; (c) a valve connected to said sealstem and movable between a closed position wherein said valve blockssaid lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumableliquid through said passage and an open position wherein said valvefrees said lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquidthrough said passage, said valve comprising a section projectingupwardly for encircling said seal stem, said section having an upper endabutting said abutting surface; wherein, in use, upon pressure of a useron said depressible portion of said seal, said depressible portion ismoved downwardly such that said valve is moved into said open positionand said seal is moved into said second position, and wherein, uponpressure of the user on said flange portion of said seal, saiddepressible portion is moved upwardly such that said valve is moved intosaid closed position and said seal is moved into said first position.29. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein when said seal is in saidfirst position, applying downward pressure upon said depressible portioncauses said section to move downwardly for causing said valve to move tosaid open position.
 30. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein saidflange portion comprises an external edge, wherein when said depressibleportion is above said flange portion, said external edge contacts saidupper surface of said base radially outwards from said upper aperture.31. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein said upper aperture, loweraperture and passage are a first upper aperture, a first lower apertureand a first passage of respective pluralities of upper apertures, lowerapertures and passages, and wherein each passage of said plurality ofpassages extend between a respective upper aperture an lower aperturefrom among the pluralities of upper apertures and lower apertures.
 32. Acap as defined in claim 28, wherein the length of said seal stem whenrelaxed is shorter than a distance required to connect said depressibleportion of said seal to said valve when said seal is in the firstposition and said valve is in the closed position such that saidelastomeric material of said seal is stretched and the resilience ofsaid elastomeric material causes a pretension to pull said valve upwardsand holds it in the closed position.
 33. A cap as defined in claim 28,wherein said elastomeric material has a resilience such that said sealremains in said first and second positions when no pressure of the useris applied on either of said depressible portion or said flange portion.34. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein said elastomeric material hasa hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore.